Automobile lock



June 19, 1928. 1,674,395

, O. S. HERSHEY AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Aug. 23, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 192s. 1,674,395

o.Y s. HERsHEY AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Aug. 23, 192s 4 sheets-sheet 2 June 19, 192s. 1,674,395

O. S. HERSHEY AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Allg- 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 19, 1928. 1,674,395

o. s. HERsHEY AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Aug. 23, 1925 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 N u pg @WMZ 'Zie/P27 7357?@ Patented `lune 19, 1928.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT yoFl-ucl-z.

onvILLn s. IIERSHEY, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs, AssIGNon fro. nnnsnnx MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, ory CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AConronA'rIoN on CoLonAno.

Appucauon ined August (2a, 1,923.- serial No. 658380.

This invention relates to certain impr'ovements in automobile locks, and more particularly to locks that are associated with the steering column of a motor driven-vehicle to secure aga-inst rotation either the column or a' post therewithin which connects the steeringA wheel with the swlveled running Wheels at the front of the vehicle.

It is a primaryobject of my invention to suc las the dash or. instrument board so as to serve as a bracket for supporting the steering column;.to incorporate within such a huslngan ignition lockwhich operates.

-in -conjunction with the steering lock whereby the motor, ,as well as the vehicle, may be prevented' from operating; to provide self adjusting means-for connectingv the houslng to 'an inst-rument'board the angular position,

of which' varies' inthe different' makes of .'autoniobiles; and to-p'rovide also with suchv or preventlng-manip-- a lock othermeans4v l ulation of the spark gas andear shift controls, 'if this .be deemed.

scriptionand claims .to ollow wherein this inventionjisrepresentedlas consisting of parts which are constructed and arranged in4 accordance with the vexempliiications shown in the accompanying drawingsin the manner following: y v 5 Figure -1' shows in side elevation the pres'- -ent lockrapplied'to a steerin column,.with a bracket connection extende to the instru- 4 the lock in a :direction in ent board; Y.

Fig.l 2 is a plan view looking down upon axisof the column;

Fig. 3 is anv enlarged transverse section through the ,lock taken on line 8.-3of lFig.1;l. `v

' Fig. 4 is Aa longitudinal section through 'the lock taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view Withcertain of the parts. moved -to another posltion Flg. 46 is 'a longitudinal sectlon through the lock taken online66 of Fig. 3;

the lock taken in the v O er'objectsas'. .well will hereinafterfap ear from ,the de-v 'post C, here represented as a-tube.

to alll intents' and claims tol follow. As shown, the present lock'housing is de-1 signed also for connection with a fixed part which parallels 'the Fig. is a similar view4 with'. certain of the parts moved to another position;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through -tlieloc'k taken on 'line' 8-8 of Fig. 3;-

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through plane of linef9-9'` of F ig.l 8;

Fig. 10 shows in elevation the interior of the ignition switch box, the cap ybeing revmoved from the view;

Fig. 11 'isa fragmentary'detail in section taken in the plane of the safety pin;

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the parts moved to another position;

Fig. 13.is a view in longitudinal section takenthrough the lock in a plane which coincides with the axis of the'colunm and shows the lock applied to a column wherein i the steering post itself -surrounds certain concentric tubes which connect the spark,

gas, and gear shift controls with the ignition,l carburetor and transmittion mechanims, respectively; and

Fig. 14 is a similar view except that the concentrictubes are arranged in surroundingrelation to the steering post which occupies an. innermost position within the column;` l'

The lock rep-resented in Figs. llto 12 in- --clusivey is contained within a. housing A- .adaptedf for mounting uponthe column B which, in the construction shown, surrounds 1n spaced j relatlon, an automobile steerln Secure fast to the post in thel region of the lock is acollar D having a longitudinal groove 10.

Since the collar'is associated, with the st i primarily to facilitate construction, an :is purposes a part thereof 1t will be softre'ate of the automobile, such 'as its dash. or instrumenti lboard E.` A bracket plate F is or screws ll'are extended with their heads preferably countersunk in the plate. Se-

cured to each boltx adjacent the rear side o f the plate is a washer or nut 12 that may in the description and loo` be pinned or otherwise made 'fast thereto. The several bolts are extendedl also through openings in the dash. or instrument board,

through the board will act to prevent any rotary movement ofthe bracket relative to the dash even though the nuts 13 'should' work off.

' At, its lower edge 14 the bracl-{et plate is l received within a slot-.l5 which is formed -across the upper face of the housing. Preferably the'width of this slot is such that the'plate edge may lie freely therein so as to adjust itself slightly to the angular rela-- tion which .obtains between the instrument board and the column. As shown, the slot that it may extend over to rest flat on .the

dash. By assembling With the "lock ing a bracket. plate having the required an-'.

15 proceeds inwardly in substantial'parallelism'tothe axis of the column, necessitating a ben'dlin the lower plate edge in order gular bend along its lower' edge, 'a satis- :factory connection may be made With-the dash of any automobile. When the plate is once entered int o Athe-slot, it may be--rse-v curedin placewith the aid of one ormore screws or pins 16 (see Figs. 8 and 9) which extend throughfthe `'rear side of the housing l. and 'also `through suitable openings in the plate edge. The 'assembly .of the bracket' jso .der to promote convenience in handling;

The housing may derive-its sole support-- 'from the dash board through the medium plate with the housing would in ordinary; practice be effected previous to attachment fthis latter element will be Vance, under the action oft 'efsprm 26, in

of the plate to the instrument board-.in orof the bracket late, or, if desired, be secured additiona ly to the column by any appropriate means. Within vthe housingbody are formed certain cylindrical `passages-for the reception vof the voperating parts, as will now be.explained. A main longitudinal passage20 for -the reception ofl the column is provided through the body of the housing. i lIntersecting this passage is'a rearwardiyextending passage 21 wherein. is receive a slidable` locking bolt 22.

This latter passage is shown as slightly off set with respectl tothe axisof the co umn, andthe acting end of the locking bolt` is also recessed at 23 along its offset 'side whereby its resultant head 24 is aligned directly with the axis ofthe column. A

' slot 25 -is formed in the column'per-mitting the head to pass therethrough to engage within the groove 1()v of thecollar D,'w hen hous- -is a detent in the form o the locking bolt is advanced --toaa forward position. The rear end of this bolt is pref. v erably socketed to receive v`a coiled spring 26 which bears against a plate 27 that is setends into the .housing body, preferably from its upper side and ,rearwardly of the slot 15, in a manner to 4present its inner end within a slot .29 that is formed longitudinally along the upper side of the bolt (see.

cured-in' place at the rearfvendof ,the pasfor holding y 75 may-consist of a pin or screw'28 which ex- Figs. 3 and 4). Such an. arrangement allows the bolt to slide freely andy project' its head 24 through the column slot 25 into locking engagement with the collar groove 10, and at the same time prevents turnmg of this bolt with a' consequent misalignment of its head relative tothe associated parts. v, The body of the housing is provided further with a passage 30 which intersects the passage 21 and leads therefrom to'the exterior of the housing Positioned within the passage 30 is a rock shaft 31 one end of which lies to the outside of the housing to connect with an opera-tino' handle 32.- VThe opposite end 33' of the roe at one 'side thereof.

shaft is inthe form of a half round so as tov engage with-the bolt shoulder formed by the recess 23 to thereby retract the locking bolt when the round `surface ofthe shaftv asshown` end is in en agement therewith, in Fig. 4. When the rock shaft is rotated so as to present its flat surface 34 to the bolt,

rmitted to adto locking position (see Fig, 5 is half rou-nd formation atthe-rock s afhend 1S 8,

simple form of camadmirably suitedto th purposes of my`invention,"and requires an operating movement'of lessthan 180. 'As shown a pin35 may be used as a stop mem# ber with which to engage the ha1-1dle'32,

1 thereby defining the limits'of shaft move ment in both directions.

Extending into thebody-'of the "housing from the rear side and intersecting the passage 30 is another smaller passage 36 in which a locking pin 37. The rock shaft is also formed with an `annular groove 38 wherein the acting pin end is normally rested so as to prevent endwise movement' of the shaft, and its'consequent withdrawal from the housing. I vfurther provide a socket 39-extending axially from the groove 38 and adapted at times toreceive the acting endof the locking pin. When the rock shaft is rotated to. the Vposishaft can be started, I provide a spring' ble of engaging within the socket so as to lock the shaft against turning.

Intersecting the passage 36 is another passage 40 which extends out to the upper side of the housing. Within this last passage is secured a rotatable cylinder lock 41 of ordinary construction having the usual entry slit 42 for the reception of an operatin 'key. At the rear .end of the cylinder loc is an eccentric lug 43 adapted to engage with one arm 44 of a spring whose extremity is lod ed within a notch 45 formed in the side o the pin 37. The spring isrepresented as having a second arm 46 which bears against a wall of the passage 40, and as being coiled at 47 about a pin or boss 48 which is located at the rea'r end of the pasf sa e. n

y the means described, the twoarms of the spring exert a diverging pressure such as to normally cause the locking pin to remain engaged with 'the annular roove of the' rock shaft, and to enterthe 'soc et 39 therein when the rock shaft is turned to the required position for this purpose. .This relationship of -theparts is subject to change, however,- with rotation of the cylinder lock vand the consequent engagement of its eccenmitting this element to occupy a forward position whereit operates to interfere with the steering; or, stated reversely, when the steering mechanism is locked, the locking pin 37 holds the rock shaft against turning, thereby preventingretraction of the locking bolt 22, an'd the concomitant release of the steering mechanism.

By use of a proper key the cylinder lock ma be rotated to eect a withdrawal of the loc ing pin-from Vengagement with the shaft socket 39. `To hold the pin in such disengaged relation until rotation of the rock 50 which 'is disposed within a recess 51 formed` longitudinally on the periphery of the rockshaft.

As shown, the spring 1s in in theforxn of a reversely bent wire having oneend l'52 anchored to the rock shaft so as tol permit its opposite end 53 to move in betweenthe socketvand acting end of the locking pin. It is only when the pin is retracted sufficiently for this purpose with the aid of the-cylinder lock that the spring end 53 can occupyy this position; and with commencement of rotation of the rock shaft the spring is moved away from the lookin pin permltting it to rest within the annu ar groove 38 and in position to re-e'nter the socket 39 when the rock shaft is again rotated to the required position. Some suchmeans as this is desirable so that it will not be necessary to operate the cylinderI lock and handle 32 concurrently in order to release the steering mechanism for operation.

Associated with the rock shaft is a safety .pin 55 which is slidably received within a passage 56 that may conveniently extend from the ,upper sideof the housing into the body thereof in intersecting relation to one side of the passage 30 wherein the rock shaft is Journaled. For a portion of its length adjacent the outer end, the passage 56 is enlarged so as to provide an annular shoulder 58 against which pressure is exerted by a coiled spring` 59 surrounding thepin and bearing also against a head 60 thereon which is adapted to be slidably received within the enlarged end of the passage4 56. By the means described, the pin is normally maintained in an outer positionas represented in Fig. 1'2. Thebody of the pin near its inner end is cut away to provide a longitudinally extending arc-shaped 4'recess I61, the curvature of which is slightly greater than the peripheryof lthe rock shaft. Adjacent the pin a Anotch is'formed in the rock shaft so as to provide, in effect, two shoulders 62 and 63. When the safety pin is manually pressed inwardly against the tension of the spring 59, the arc-shaped recess will occupy a position substantially as is shown in Fig. 11. Freerotation ofthe rock shaft, in the absence of any other restraining influence, is permit-ted in this relationship of the parts. If, however, the rock shaft 'be rotated to the position of Fig. 12, the safety in will move outwardly to engage the shoul ers 62 and 63 so as to prevent extended rotation of the rock shaft. It iswhile the parts arerelated as in Fig. 12 that the rock shaft holds the locking bolt from interfering with the steering operations, and the safety pin serves to guard against any change in this relationship such as might prove'disastrous to operation of the vehicle. By first pushing the pin in, however, and then the handle 32, the rock shaft may be rotated to a position which permits the locking bolt to spring into interfering position with the steering, post, these operations dispensing with the use of any key `in the cylinder lock.

With such a construction, however, it is ossible to conveniently associate a switch y which the ignition circuit may be closed or broken, thus combining with the steering lock a lock for the motor as well. Such a switch is set forth in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 to izo 'are extended for connection with the housing. Over the open side of the box is tted a cap 72 and by means of pins 73, or any other suitable locking device, the cap is securely held in place. With the parts formed and assembled in this manner, the connecting screws 71 may not be tampered with.

`Formed centrally in the box bottom is an `opening wherein is received a plunger 75 on which is formed la head 76 forming part of an ignition switch to be presently described. Adjacent the inner end of the plunger is a ball 77 which is also in engagement with the 'rock shaft in a circumferential plane wherein is formeda socket 78 adapted vto partly receive the ball only when the rock shaft 1s turned to thepos'ition of Figs. 8 and 3. In

any other position, however, the socket 7 8'is moved away from the-ball with the result 'that this latter element is projected further from the axis of the rock shaft'so as to force the plunger outwardly an equal distance. It is contemplated as part of this invention that the rock shaft may, if desired, function primarily as an operatlng medium for the ignition switch, and infurtherance of such an end, the socket 78.should be solocated circumferentially of the rock shaft as .to receive the bal177 in advance of the shaft coming' to the position of Fig. 5. In other words, with the parts set for operation of the motor and the steering mechanism, manipulation of the handle 32 will lock first the -ignition and then disable the steering mechanism. This is furthermore a natural sequence since it may be necessary thereafter to rotate the steering post so as to align the slot 10 with the head of the locking bolt 22 before the steering lock can become effective.

Arranged within the box and adjacent the lhead 76 of the plunger are two oppositely disposed contacts 80 and 81 witli-which'are connectedv terminals 82and 83 respectively,

these terminals being extendedto the exterior of the box so as to facilitateconnection therewith of suitable conductors forming part of the ignition circuit. A metallic disk or plate 84 is positioned adjacent the head, being adapted to rest against the two con vtacts 80 and 8 1, thereby bridging the gap therebetween when the parts areas shown v that the plate 84, in conjunction with the two contacts 80 and 81, constitutes a switch whichl w1ll operate to close or open the ignition circuit which is connected with the two terminals 82 and 83.

meegaat 7According to the construction herein .set forth, when the ignition circuit controlling the motor operation is broken, this action is.

followed immediately by a locking of the steering mechanism. This double locki'n is accomplished with the manipulationA of ut two parts, namely, the safety pin and operating handle 32. This doublel locking of the vehicle is furthermore under the contr01 o f a single cylinder lock, the operation of whlch is dependent upon the use of a proper ke The present structure is particular y adapted forvinstallation during assemblyof the steering mechanism and associated parts uponthe automobile. Its application to the steering column may, however, be performed subsequentlyl by removal of the steering wheel, supporting bracket, and substitution of thcstructure herein shown.-

In Figs. 13 and 14 the presentglock Ais shown applied to a steering column wherein are contained certain concentric tubes formas'A ing part of the operating connections leading to the steering wheels, spark advance, carburetor throttle,4 and gear shift. The present lock may be associated with a column having also the-se severalv parts so 'as to.

co-operate therewith to lock .the lseveral mechanisms controlled thereby.

Referring to Fig. 13 thel lock housing is- -shown as having a bracket connectlon 'in the plate F with the dash instrument board (not shown). vInteriorly of the housing is a pas.

sage orchamber wherein is mounted the slidable locking bolt 22 here represented as' formed with a lhead 24 of reduced size.

post C. to which is secured a collar D formed with an opening or slot 10 adapted to receive the acting end of the locking bolt. A second opening or slot 25 registering therewith is also formed in the column so as to permit thelocking bolt to function in the intended manner.

Interiorly of the'post are shown certain concentric tubes vdesignated as Gr, -I Il and I respectively, each forming part of the .op'erf ating connections which extend from suitable controls (not shown) to the gear shift,

carburetor throttle,l and spark advance mechanism. Each of ,these tubes is independently movable either in' a 'rotary or longitudinalv direction for transmitting the desired motion. tubes are openings o r slots 90, 91 and. 92, each adaptedto register with the others, and

Formed in each: of -these vContained within the column is the steering yill() alsow-ith other openings 25 and 93 formed respectively in the column and steering post.

The openings in the three inner tubes, however, are-shown as slightly reduced in size so as to receive the reduced head 24 of the locking boltv With projection of this ,boltl to forward position under the influence of the sprlng 26, the head 24 will enter the openings in' the three inner tubes and thev ment -with lthe pin adap body of the bolt will lie within the openings in the steering post, collar, and column. Obviously the use ofthe collar D with such a construction can be dispensed with, although for purposes of security it may be desirable. The shoulder 23 formed near the, acting end of the locking bolt by its reduced head will, in' the construction shown, engage withI the outermost of the three inner tubes olas to limit the inward movement'of the The'constructionA of Fig. 13 is suggestive of one applicationpof this invention. Fig. 14 a-ver` 4similar construction is set forth, the on v difference being that the steering post vis here represented as occu pying an innermost position in the column, andas being surrounded by the three tubes G, H, and I, which connect with the spark, gas and gear shift. The column B may, furthermore, have a rotatable mounting so as itself to transmit motion to. an operating unit of the automobile, such, for example, as the steeringmechanism, in which case the" lock ofthe present invention will be equally effective since projection ofthe locking bolt, of necessity, results in its engagementw-ith the column such as to prevent rotation there',- of. The-operation of locking the several mechanisms hereinbefore set forth is performed in the manner described, and results in completely disabling the automobile.

I clalm:

1. In combination'with a steeringmechanism, a locking devicetherefor consisting of a spring actuated lockingmember adapted in one position to interfere with steering, operations, a cam shaft adapted to withhold and withdraw the locking member 4from interfering position, a key-controlled cylinder lock havingan eccentric, a pin movable toward and from, the shaft and adapted to restrain movement'thereof when the shaft is in one position, and a spring in engageto be engaged also by lthe, eccentric in a manner whereby the cylinder lock, when operated, may dis.

engage thepin yfrom the shaft, substantially as describ 2. In combination with a steering mecha nism, a locking device therefor consisting vof a movable locking member adapted in one` position to `interfere with steering operations, a key-controlled lock therefor, 4and operative connections between the lock and said member includingl a 'pin and a spring, the formerderiving its motion from the latter and serving to govern the movements of the locking member, the spring being movable counter to its tension with operation of the key-controlled lock, substantially as described.v l y 3. Incombination witha steering mecha.- nism, a, housin associated therewith and l containing within its body a bolt adapted in one position to interfere with steering operations, a keycontrplled lock, and a train of.

connections between the lock' and bolt including as one element a spring in engagement with the lock and co-operating there;I

with vto'move an associated part in either of two opposite directions, substantially asl the column adjacentv the housing, loc ing In mechanism vcontained within the housing including a spring actuated bolt adaptedl to project its acting end through, the column opening to engage with the steering post,

a rock shaft cofoperating with vthe bolt and adapted to retract the same when turned to.

one position, and when turned to another position to permit advancement of the bolt, a key-controlled' lock, and means, including a spring, forminga train of o rative connections ,between -the' lock an rock shaft ladapted to holdlthe latter against movement -oo vwith the steering post, substantially asdefrom a position wherein the bolt is engaged 5.'In an automobile, the combinationfof i arotatable steering member,l a housing associated therewith, means within the housing adapted .to lock the member against movement whereby the vsteering operations" are andv a detent receivable withinthe socket t0 disabled, a rotatable operating means there, i for having in its periphery a radial socketl restrain movement of the operating means when in one positionv only, a spring connected with the` detent, and a-rotatable cylinder lock Yhavinganreccentric movable to engage the spring whereby to withdrawjthe detent from interfering position relative to steering mechanism, operating means forl .said bolt, a rotatable key-controlled lock,

and a train of connections between said operating means Aand the key-controlled look, including a spring through which a. one-way motion is transmitted from the lock, substantially as described.-

7. In combination with a steering column having therewithin a rotatable post forming part of a steering mechanism, a housing associated with the column and Secured against rotation relative thereto, locking means contained within the housing adaptedto be projected through the column into engagement with the steering postto interfere with movements thereof, and other means governving the operation of said locking means including a, key-eontrolled-lock, a 'spring actuated pin adapted to be moved in one direction by the key-controlled lock, a rock shaft .whose lmovements are adapted to be inter- "fered with by the pinwhen in one position,

and other spring means co-operating with the pin to check advancement thereof immediately following its release from the rock teriorly of the hou sing,a.plate having'anv angular bend adjacent one edge, means for I securing the bent edge of the plate within the'housing slot lwhereby the plate body is rest fiat thereupon, andmeans for securing the plate to the fixed part, substantially as described.

9. In combination with an automobile having a fixed part and adjacent thereto a steering column, a lock housing associated with the column and providing controllable means for interfering with steering operations of the automobile, there being in the lock housing a slot,ra bracket plate secured rigidly to the fixed part having one edge receivable within -the slot,'and means for securin said ed e'detachably to the lock housing, su stantia ly as described.

10. In a lock, a bolt, a movable operating means therefor having a surface recess therein, a lock connected with said means to control the movements thereof in onedirection,

and a spring pressed safety device engageciated therewith, means within the housing adapted to lock the member against movementwhereby'the steering operations are cluding a manipulativeelement, a key-controlled lock, and a safety device, the safety device when movedpermittingoperation' of the manipulative Aelement Ain one direction,

and the key-controlled lock when moved per. mitting operation of the manipulative element in another direction, substantially as described. permitted to extend toward the fixed part to 12. In an automobile lock, the combination with a rotatable member of means advanceable into engagement with said member to lock the same against movement, and operatingpmeans therefor including a manipulative element, a key-controlled lock co-acting therewith, anda safety device also engageable with the manipulative element, the keycontrolled lock,.when operated, preventing movement of the manipulative element in both directions, and thel safety device Vpreventing movement of the manipulative element inone direction only, substantially as described.

' ORVILLE S. HERSHEY.

so disabled, and operating meanstherefor in- 

